JAKARTA: (Bernama) At least 15 eruption points spread across five locations spewing hot mud, gas, and water have been reported in a village in North Sumatra, Indonesia, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
In a statement on Wednesday (April 30), BNPB’s spokesperson Abdul Muhari said that some of the eruption points appeared on land owned by residents in Roburan Dolok village in Mandailing Natal Regency last week, emitting a strong sulphuric odour.
"The eruptions have occurred for some time, but not in such large numbers,” he said, adding that the number of eruption points has grown since 2018, with increased activity in recent months.
He said the phenomenon has damaged about five hectares of land, including rubber plantations, and heavy rains have made it worse by causing mud to flow into rivers and pollute water sources.
Local authorities, including a rapid response team from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), inspected the site, as experts from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources collected mud samples for laboratory testing in Jakarta.
"Preliminary findings show the eruptions do not contain the hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), but the cause is still unknown and under investigation,” Abdul Muhari added. - Bernama
